It’s been a busy couple of days, with spring seeming like it will actually be spring-like this year, I’m not sure how easy it will be to keep up with these entries consistently, but I’ll try. In the last couple of days I’ve managed to get out to Herring Cove to observe the dippers along the stream there and also spent some time with Connor and Rowan down on Sage Beach.
Weather: It’s been sunny and relatively warm the last couple of days, though today the fog persisted into the afternoon.
Birds: The dippers at Herring Cove appeared to be paired up, but not actively nesting. Mary Willson (who has studied dippers in Juneau) said they normally start nesting activities in late April and early May there.
At 5am I woke up briefly and heard robins singing outside our house. A little later, I saw a bird that I’m pretty sure was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the alders in our backyard.
Hummingbirds have been pretty easy to observe of late. One even flew up to the window this evening and looked in for a moment before flying off.
Other Notes: Dandelions were blooming around campus today. I didn’t get over to check the ones that seemed furthest along, but I suspect there are also salmonberry flowers now open.
A mink was live trapped down at the hatchery (the third in the last week or so, as I understand it). Connor and Rowan seemed to enjoy looking at it before it was taken to be released up Indian River Road. It wouldn’t surprise me if it shows back up again pretty soon, though it would probably be hard to tell.
While we were at the beach, there was a River Otter that splashed around in the water near the hatchery outflow before climbing up into the rocks. Connor got to see it pretty well, but Rowan had a little more difficulty. I think she did end up being able to see it briefly, though.